Union Home Minister Amit Shah has launched a sharp critique of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of opposing India's military response, Operation Sindoor, aimed at countering terrorism. Shah's comments, made during a party meeting in Kolkata, were aimed at Banerjee's stance on national security, alleging that her opposition was driven by political motivations, particularly appeasing the Muslim vote bank. Shah also criticized her handling of the Murshidabad riots and accused her government of facilitating illegal border infiltration. The escalating war of words highlights the deepening political rift between the BJP and Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Amit Shah's Accusations: A Strong Political Offensive
In an aggressive political attack, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of undermining national security by opposing Operation Sindoor. Addressing BJP workers in Kolkata on June 1, 2025, Shah denounced Banerjee’s opposition to the operation, which he described as a critical military response to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22. Shah’s remarks, made at an organizational meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at Netaji Indoor Stadium, signal a fierce escalation in the ongoing political confrontation between the ruling party at the center and the West Bengal government.
Shah stated that Operation Sindoor involved a deep strike 100 kilometers into Pakistan, targeting terrorist headquarters and eliminating numerous operatives. He accused Mamata Banerjee of making a “regrettable statement” opposing the operation, which, according to Shah, disregarded the national sentiments and emotions of Indian women who mourn the loss of family members in terrorist attacks.
Operation Sindoor: A Defining Moment in India’s Anti-Terror Efforts
The launch of Operation Sindoor was in response to the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in the loss of several lives and heightened tensions along India’s borders. The Indian military's swift action, targeting terrorist strongholds in Pakistan, was a significant response aimed at curbing cross-border terrorism.
Amit Shah emphasized that despite Banerjee's vocal opposition, the operation was ongoing, underscoring the government’s commitment to protecting the country and responding to terrorism with full force. Shah's rhetoric, positioning Mamata Banerjee as sympathetic to Pakistan-based terrorists, sought to frame her opposition as both a political and security blunder, particularly ahead of upcoming elections in the state. "This is PM Modi's government," Shah declared, adding that anyone who challenges India's national security would be given a "proper answer."
The Allegation of Political Calculations: Aimed at Muslim Vote Bank?
One of Shah's most pointed accusations against Banerjee was that her opposition to Operation Sindoor was driven by a desire to appease the Muslim vote bank in West Bengal. According to Shah, Banerjee's actions were not rooted in national interest but in political opportunism, specifically to secure votes from the Muslim community.
In a sharp remark, Shah claimed that by criticizing the operation, Banerjee was disrespecting the sacrifices made by the "mothers and sisters" of India. He further warned that such rhetoric would backfire in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, asserting that women voters in the state would exact a political price from Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress (TMC) party for opposing the operation.
Mamata Banerjee had previously accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP of exploiting Operation Sindoor for political gain, a claim that Shah sought to rebut by turning the tables on her, accusing her of trivializing national security issues for the sake of political advantage.
Murshidabad Riots: A State-Sponsored Violence Allegation
In addition to his criticism of Banerjee's stance on Operation Sindoor, Amit Shah addressed the issue of communal violence in Murshidabad, a district in West Bengal that witnessed violent clashes in April 2025. Shah labeled the riots as "state-sponsored" and alleged that Banerjee's government had deliberately obstructed the deployment of the Border Security Force (BSF) to contain the violence.
Shah claimed that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had repeatedly requested the deployment of BSF in Murshidabad to restore order, but the TMC-led state government had refused to allow the force's intervention. According to Shah, this decision allowed the violence to escalate unchecked, implicating the state government in facilitating the unrest.
The Murshidabad riots have been a flashpoint for accusations of communal polarization in the state, with both the ruling TMC and the opposition BJP trading blame for fueling tensions between different religious communities. Shah's comments further deepen the narrative that the TMC is incapable of ensuring law and order in West Bengal, a key issue that the BJP seeks to capitalize on.
Allegations of Border Infiltration and National Security Concerns
Shah also took the opportunity to accuse the Mamata Banerjee-led government of facilitating illegal infiltration from neighboring Bangladesh, another highly contentious issue in the political landscape of West Bengal. According to Shah, the TMC government was not only failing to curb illegal immigration but also actively enabling it, further compromising the state’s security and demographic integrity.
These allegations of illegal infiltration have been a recurring theme in BJP’s attacks on Banerjee’s administration. The BJP has long criticized the TMC for allegedly turning a blind eye to the issue of illegal immigration, especially from Bangladesh, which the party claims has led to the creation of demographic imbalances in the region. By linking this issue to Mamata Banerjee’s policies, Shah sought to portray her government as incapable of safeguarding the state's borders and maintaining national security.
The BJP vs TMC: A Political Cold War
The ongoing conflict between the BJP and the TMC, particularly in West Bengal, reflects broader national debates over national security, religious identity, and governance. Amit Shah's comments only serve to intensify the rivalry, positioning the BJP as the defender of India’s national interests and Mamata Banerjee’s TMC as out of touch with the country’s security needs.
As West Bengal heads towards the 2026 assembly elections, the political stakes have never been higher. The BJP is determined to make inroads into a state that has long been dominated by the TMC, and national security issues like Operation Sindoor and the Murshidabad riots will undoubtedly remain central to the debate. Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee’s position as the state’s chief minister continues to be challenged, as both parties engage in a fierce battle for political supremacy.
Conclusion: The Politics of National Security
Amit Shah’s verbal assault on Mamata Banerjee marks a significant chapter in the ongoing political battle in West Bengal. His strong rhetoric on national security issues like Operation Sindoor, the Murshidabad riots, and illegal border infiltration is an attempt to present the BJP as the party committed to safeguarding India’s interests, while accusing the TMC of playing politics with these vital matters. The growing tension between the two leaders highlights the deepening divide over how best to approach national security and governance in India’s eastern region. As the political temperature rises, both parties are preparing for a high-stakes electoral showdown in the near future.
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